Current Water Conditions
Colorado River Basin
Hydrologic and Drought Conditions
Upper Colorado River Basin Reservoir Operations
Current Conditions and Projections - MARCH 2008
Precipitation in the Upper Colorado River Basin was 124 % of average in February 2008. After a very poor beginning to water year 2008, precipitation for the water year has made a remarkable comeback and is now 121% of average as of March 2, 2008. Basin-wide snowpack was only 35 % of average on November 29, 2007, but has increased steadily since the first week of December 2007. As of March 2, 2008 the snowpack conditions above Lake Powell are 124% of average. The climate outlook for the Upper Colorado River Basin indicates that the next 3 months will likely have below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures.
Inflow to Lake Powell is currently 11,100 cfs (March 2, 2008). Total unregulated inflow to Lake Powell so far in water year 2008 (October through February) is 84 percent of average with February measured at 102 % of average.
Forecasted April through July unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in 2008 is 9.5 million acre-feet, 120 % of average (February mid-month forecast). This forecast will be updated later this week. Typically by March 1st, the snow accumulation season is about 80% complete in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
The current elevation of Lake Powell (March 2, 2008) is 3,590.7 feet, 109.3 feet from full pool elevation of 3,700 feet. Reservoir storage is currently 10.88 million acre-feet, or 45 percent of capacity. The water surface elevation of Lake Powell is now near its seasonal low. In April, anticipated snowmelt runoff will cause the water surface elevation to begin to increase. Under the current inflow forecast, Lake Powell would reach a peak elevation of about 3639 feet in July 2008. The peak elevation for Lake Powell in 2007 was 3,611.7 feet.
source: Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region
The Western Water Assessment offers quarterly reports on climatic activity.
Be sure to check the latest edition of the Intermountain West Climate Summary.
The snow season is approaching.
Latest information on moisture and precipitation
Precipitation during the last 30 days.
Snowpack trends.
The current drought monitor map.
The latest El Nino (ENSO) discussion.
An animated map shows sea-surface temperature trends.
Current reservoir storage statistics.
How does Lake Powell look?
Lake Powell inflow and outflow statistics. Wildfire dangers outlook. Other cool websites for people who can never learn enough about weather, climate, drought and fire conditions U.S. Drought Monitor map
U.S. Drought Forecast map
Ending Current Drought - Measure of the amount of precip. required to end or ameliorate current drought conditions. Weather El Nino/ La Nina current conditions maps El Nino/ La Nina Advisory - CPC
NOAA El Nino Page
El Nino Impacts on Colorado Monthly Temp. and Precip. Outlooks Current Climate Summary Maps Hydrometeorological Prediction Center Earthwatch - Weather on Demand Interactive Global Geostationary Weather Satellite Images Interactive Weather Information Network (IWIN) National Weather Service - Western Regional Weather NOAA West Slope Weather Forecast U.S. Temperature and Precipitation Trends
Snowpack/ Runoff/ Precipitation
Colorado Year-to Date Precipitation Graphs by River Basin All about snow! Western U.S. Weekly Drought Monitor/ Snowpack Report Interactive Snow Information - NOHRSC Central Rockies Snow Analyses Monthly Precipitation and Percent of Precipitation Maps Spring and Summer Runoff Forecast Westwide Streamflow Forecast Map Streamflow Forecast Maps for Colorado, Rio Grande and Arkansas Basins Short-term River Forecast from CBRFC Standardized Precipitation Index Peak Streamflow Forecast Colorado Real-time Streamflow Data
Water Supply
Water Supply Forecast Probability Charts - NWCC Colorado River Basin Water Supply Outlook - CBRFC NRCS Monthly Water Supply Report Current Water Year Data -NRCS Colorado Surface Water Supply Index - CWCB
Water Storage
Current Storage in Colorado Reservoirs (in percent of capacity Current Monthly Reservoir Storage Data Reservoir Storage throughout the West Upper Basin Reservoir Storage Teacup Diagram Green Mountain Teacup Diagram Ruedi Reservoir Teacup Diagram Gunnison River Basin Storage Teacup Diagram Bureau of Reclamation Menu of Project Teacup Diagrams (Hydromet) Mainstem of Colorado River Storage - weekly water supply report Lake Powell Elevation and Current Status Misc. Indicators Soil Moisture Monitoring Vegetation Health and Temperature map
Colorado Drought Information:
Colorado Drought Watch (USGS)
Colorado Water Conservation Board Drought Information Page
Colorado Water Conservation Board Drought Updates
Colorado State University Extension Service Drought Information
Drought Monitor
Drought Outlook
Drought Response Information Project (DRIP)
History of Drought in Colorado
Interim National Drought Council
National Drought Policy Commission
National Drought Mitigation Center
NOAA Drought Page
National Resource Conservation Service Colorado Drought Page
NOAA Drought Information Center
U.S. Department of Interior "Water 2025 Report"
Stream Flows:
Colorado Division of Water Resources
River District Comprehensive Mapping and Gauge Page
Climate: Climatic Fluctuations, Drought and Flow in the Colorado River - USGS
Climate of 2005
Colorado Climate at a Glance - National Climate Data Center
Colorado Climate Center
Colorado Climate Summaries
Colorado El Nino/ La Nina Forecast
El Nino multimedia webcast
El Nino/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 3-D animation
Exploratorium/ Global Climate Change
High Plains Regional Climate Center
Paleoclimatology
Tree Ring Reconstructions of Streamflow in Colorado
Western Regional Climate Center
Water Conservation: H2OUSE
Colorado State University Drought Tips
Rocky Mountain Institute Water Conservation Page
UNL Drought Mitigation Page
WaterSaver.org
Xeriscape: Xeriscape.org
CSU Turfgrass page
Colorado ET - Evapotranspiration rates from around the state
Denver Botanic Gardens Smart Watering Tips
Denver Water Xeriscape Page
Greenco Healthy Plants and Drought Page
"X-rated Gardening" Xeriscape page
Drought and Agriculture: Coping with Drought - NDSU Ext. Service
CSU Drought Info for Farm, Ranch and Small Acreage website
Department of Agriculture, State of Colorado
Risk Management Agency - USDA (crop insurance program)
U.S. Farm Network - Drought Archive
Fire:
Fire Bans in Effect
Firewise
Current Wildland Fire Information - National Interagency Fire Center
National Fire Weather Page - National Weather Service
NOAA Fireweather Index
River Boating Conditions:
High Country River Rafters - flows
Mountainbuzz.com
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